A first-timer’s guide to the Dowd YMCA

I am a power user of this facility. I love it. I am its biggest fan. Even after going six days a week for the last couple years, I found new-to-me nooks in preparing this piece. So, for first-timers and veterans alike, here’s your guide to the Dowd.

First of all, don’t get too comfortable. Changes (good changes) are coming.

The YMCA is planning a $20 million renovation for the Dowd, its third largest facility. The renovation will add 28,000 square feet of space on two levels as well as a parking deck with 600 additional spots.

I am ecstatic.

The plan was to start construction by the end of 2015 but, as construction plans usually go, that’s delayed. The Dowd did just announce yesterday, however, that they are trying to at least move ahead with a parking fix. They’ve proposed a partnership with the Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church next door that would involve rezoning the church’s lot at the corner of Lexington and Caldwell for the construction of a parking deck for both facilities. Stay tuned.

But until that project is complete, let’s take a look at what we’ve got now, starting on the main floor.

Here, you’ll find lots of public space that can be accessed without a membership. This includes a lounge area with a piano that, surprisingly, I’ve seen people sit down and play more than once. There’s some underground piano talent in Charlotte.

There’s also an outdoor patio with a decent view of Uptown.

If you forgot your headphones (the horror), the pro shop has you covered.

You can buy all kinds of gear in here, including yoga mats, clothes, shoes, goggles, toiletries and just about anything else you may have left at home.

For quick fuel before or after your workout, stop by The Fitness Bar and Chop Chop Juice Shop.

They’ve got everything from grab-and-go protein bars, smoothies and juices to a full sit-down meal.

The main floor is also where you’ll find access to member amenities like childcare, the yoga studio and the main pool entry.

Childcare is available for children ages 6 weeks to 10 years. “Drop-in” care (which means the parent stays on site to work out) is free for members up to two hours per visit with no more than two visits per day.

“Drop-off” care (which means the parent leaves the premises after dropping the child off) is available Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Friday nights 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those sessions are $25 for members and $35 for non-members.

Still no word on that doggy daycare I requested…

The yoga studio is located just inside the front Morehead Street entrance.

They’ve got a full schedule of classes (up to 6-7 per day), including Deep Stretch, Beginner’s, Vinyasa and Hot. You can view the class schedule and filter by location/class type here.

You can scan into the pool from the back entrance on the Lexington Street side of the building.

Or you can also access it from inside the women’s locker room on this floor.

There’s a cool pool for swimming laps and a warm pool for group water exercise class.

The women’s locker room is located on the main floor.

This is a massive facility with lockers, showers, hot tub, a steam room and an entire women’s-only fitness center with cardio equipment and weights.

The men’s locker room is down in the basement so let’s head that way…

I made no attempts to photograph this area.

This is also where you’ll find the racquetball courts, dry cleaner and main weight room.

The basement is your one-stop shop for dry cleaning, shoe repair and alterations.

Basically, you never have to leave this place.

Although you’ll find lighter weights on the 2nd and 3rd floors too, the big plates, barbells and racks are all down here.

It’s worth noting that it smells horrendous in this area. You do not get used to it.

Heading back upstairs on the way to the 2nd floor, you’ll pass the chapel on the main floor.

There’s a box for prayer requests, too.

I’d say the second floor is where most people spend the majority of their time. This is where you’ll find the three gymnasiums, cycle studio and cardio equipment.

The Underwood Gym is a basketball-only facility. You’ll see lots of youth tournaments in here.

The other two gyms, Keith and Hines, are where the group fitness classes are hosted. People also play basketball in there when classes aren’t scheduled.

There’s an upper level track inside the Hines gym and people are consistently confused about how to access it.

That’s probably because the doors leading to it are covered with fire code warnings. I assure you this is, in fact, how you access the track. You won’t set off any alarms.

The track lanes are labeled for running, walking and passing. The direction of flow is counter-clockwise Monday, Tuesday, Friday Sunday and clockwise Wednesday, Thursday Saturday.

The second floor is also home to the cycle studio.

Check the group fitness schedule for class times.

You’ll find most of the cardio equipment (treadmills, elliptical machines and stair climbers) as well as weight machines on the second floor.

This area is particularly slammed during peak after work hours (5 – 7 p.m.) so you may have to get in line and wait for a machine. Proper unspoken etiquette seems to be to assemble here next to the stair climbers and wait for a treadmill to open up.

And now on to the third floor, my favorite floor.

I go up there to avoid the crowds, snag forgotten cardio machines and work out in what feels like a semi-private studio.

The Fit Central personal training studio is where trainers work with private clients but general members can also access the space if it’s not occupied. This is also where the pilates studio is located.

There are a few treadmills, stair climbers, rowing machines and loads of ellipticals up here.

Check here when the 2nd floor is full.

Lockers are available on all levels.

You can bring your own padlock or, if you just have keys and wallet, toss them in one of the mini lockers.

Last but certainly not least, spray down equipment and keep your hands clean.

Disinfectant and towels are available on every machine and you’ll see these hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility. At the risk of jinxing myself, I haven’t been sick in the two years I’ve been visiting the Dowd. I credit this to the hand sanitizer I douse myself in upon exiting.

That’s it. Welcome to the Dowd. See you there.